Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments
Study the Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments, and learn to prepare and present building design projects of varying scales and complexity.
Architecture focuses on the relationship between people and their environments. Study architecture at AUT and gain an understanding of the critical, ethical, aesthetic, social cultural and technological components of architecture and the design of sustainable future environments.
You’ll develop a critical approach to architectural design, become familiar with architectural history and contemporary architecture practice, and learn to apply Te Aranga Māori design principles to your work.
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Minimum entry requirements
If you have New Zealand qualifications
If you have qualifications from another country
See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher; or equivalent.
Useful New Zealand school subjects
Design and Visual Communication, Digital Technology, Art History, Technology, Visual Arts
Throughout your studies, you’ll be based in the studio, a great environment to share ideas, collaborate with your classmates and develop your ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and diverse cultural settings.
Year 1
This year introduces you to architecture as a discipline and Te Aranga Māori design principles. Courses cover architecture methodologies, tools and skillsets, including mapping, scaling, drawing, diagramming, coding and modelling, as well as technical knowledge and material fabrication. You’ll apply your skills through a series of design projects.
Semester 1 courses
- ARCH500 Wānanga Design Studio I: Relationships (30 points)
- ARCH502 Architectural Intelligence I: Anthropocene (15 points)
- ARCH503 Architectural Communication (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- ARCH501 Wānanga Design Studio II: Materials and Making (30 points)
- ARCH504 Architectural Ecologies I: Material Assemblies (15 points)
- Plus a course from your chosen minor
Year 2
Your second year focuses on the social context of architecture, and designing for individuals and communities in future environments.
You build on your knowledge of Te Aranga Māori design principles, and the concept of mauri ora (a state of wellbeing or living well) and notions of eudemonia (the good life), to explore historical and emerging conceptions of home and housing. You’ll also explore wider urban, civic or work-based interactions.
Semester 1 courses
- ARCH600 Wānanga Design Studio III: Mauri Ora I (30 points)
- ARCH604 Architectural Ecologies II: Structures and Envelopes (15 points)
- Plus a course from your chosen minor
Semester 2 courses
- ARCH601 Wānanga Design Studio IV: Mauri Ora II (30 points)
- ARCH602 Architectural Intelligence II: The Pacific City (15 points)
- Plus a course from your chosen minor
Year 3
Explore the overlap between architectural and entrepreneurial thinking as strategies for working in uncertain contexts, and the impact of innovation, computational intelligence, emerging technologies and integrated systems on architecture.
In your second semester you develop a proposal for a building of medium to large scale and complexity.
Semester 1 courses
- ARCH700 Wānanga Design Studio V: Innovation (30 points)
- ARCH603 Architectural Ecologies III: Climate - Responsive Design (15 points)
- Plus a course from your chosen minor
Semester 2 courses
- ARCH701 Wānanga Design Studio VI: Building Complex (30 points)
- ARCH702 Architectural Intelligence III: Innovation in Practice (15 points)
- ARCH703 Architectural Ecologies IV: Integrated Systems (15 points)
Include a minor in your degree
As part of your degree, you can study a minor from another AUT degree, enabling you to pursue an area of interest from a wide range of subjects. A minor is smaller than a major. It usually consists of four courses.
Creative Technologies is a minor we would recommend but you can also choose from a wide range of other minors from across AUT.
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
To become a registered architect, you need a three-year bachelor’s degree, a two-year Master of Architecture (Professional) and 5,250 hours of professional practice under the supervision of a registered practising architect.
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Architecture and Future Environments will enable students to apply for entry into the Master of Architecture (Professional), which is designed to meet the competency requirements for professional registration as an architect in New Zealand and Australia.
Students who choose not to proceed to the Master of Architecture (Professional) can go into a range of other creative and design-based industries, related professions, public service organisations or other postgraduate studies.
($8,190 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
($45,900 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
- Fees-free study may be available for domestic students
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.